# Editing Uncovered: What Writers Need to Know, Episode 51

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/authors-talking-bookish-6426830/editing-uncovered-what-writers-need-to-know-episode-51
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/authors-talking-bookish-6426830/editing-uncovered-what-writers-need-to-know-episode-51.md
Podcast: [Authors Talking Bookish](https://stenobird.com/podcast/authors-talking-bookish-6426830)
Published: 2025-07-29T21:00:17+00:00
Episode link: https://rss.com/podcasts/authorstalkingbookish/2140503
Audio file: https://content.rss.com/episodes/206287/2140503/authorstalkingbookish/2025_07_28_13_26_17_cfaa95f2-fe33-4896-ad3c-a9e312bca3f1.mp3
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JSON: https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/authors-talking-bookish-6426830/episodes/editing-uncovered-what-writers-need-to-know-episode-51
Duration seconds: 1766

## Resource

In this episode, we pull back the curtain on the editing process with two expert guests: Sarah Rexford, a seasoned editor from a Manhattan publisher and John DeDakis, author, freelance editor, book coach and former CNN editor. Whether you're prepping your manuscript for submission or self-publishing, this conversation offers invaluable insights into what editors really look for. You'll hear their biggest pet peeves, hard-won lessons, and the advice every writer needs before hitting "send." Plus, a peek into a typical day in the life of an editor—and how they balance editing with their own creative work. Writers, this one’s for you! Can you tell us about your experiences as an editor and book coach? What types of editing do each of you do? What’s the most common mistake you see writers make during revisions? What tools or software do you rely on in your editing workflow? How do you handle giving tough feedback to an author? John, does being an author affect your processes as an editor? If so, in what ways? Sarah, you provide a free downloadable eBook for authors on your website, what golden nuggets can they find there? At what stage in the writing or revision process should writers approach an editor? What are your pet peeves in a manuscript? What have you learned the hard way that might help our authors in their writing or in working with editors? SOURCES & LINKS Sarah’s website: http://sarahjrexford.com/ John’s Website: http://www.johndedakis.com/ @ johndedakis.bsky.social X: @johnDeDakis Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/john.dedakis/ Instagram: @dedakisjohn Craft Book Recs from John and Sarah: Weekend Novelist by Robert J. Ray Anything by Stephen James and DiAnn Mills Anything that delves into the psychology of characters Full Show Notes are available on our webs…

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## Transcript

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